The Pilgrims or Separatists were being who sought religious freedom - first traveled to Holland, then to America. This group wanted to separate from the Church of England (Anglican Church)
James I was head of both the state and the church in England from 1603 to 1625. He perceived that if his subjects could defy him as their spiritual leader, they might defy him as their political leader. He therefore threatened to harass the Separatists out of the land.
